Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. Planning Manager Tim Kelly emails a weekly GR Forward update to the project Steering Committee. Here's this week's communication:

Happy Friday Everyone:

Our work continues in earnest as we push toward the end of the public comment period for GR Forward. This week we were guests on La Mejor Radio with Chuy Morales, and held meetings with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the GR Rowers Association, and the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce’s Black Women Connect and Outpro groups, Next week will be equally busy, as we participate in events with Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses, 3rd Ward Commissioners, Endless Opportunities, and the Convention and Arena Authority’s Community Inclusion Group. We will also be participating in a meeting with the City of Grand Rapids’ Design Team.

As a reminder, the public comment period for GR Forward ends one week from today. Please continue to promote the upcoming meetings within your network, and if you have not already, make sure to send me your comments as soon as possible. Also, if anyone has additional ideas for partners that we can meet with, please let me know.

Web Numbers

The latest web and social media numbers are below. Be sure to continue to share the links in your network so everyone can stay up to date with our GR Forward activities.

Resources

A pair of articles for you this week.

First, I know I have shared resources on Pittsburgh previously, but I thought this article on their proposed $2 billion in investments to enhance stormwater management was interesting. This massive project will include the renovation of a 178-acre Pittsburgh-area riverfront brownfield site into office, industrial and housing space. Other components of the project will include the installation of traditional “gray” infrastructure, but the focus will be on “green elements”, including green roofs, rain barrels, permeable pavement, bioswales, stormwater planters, and trees.

While their approach is surely nothing new, the scale of the project, which involves 82 other municipalities, is noteworthy. Further, their embrace of the concept that runoff management can beautify the overall landscape and create an attractive, enjoyable place to walk through and live, is something we can all appreciate.

Second, as many of you know, there are no shortage of housing discussions going on in Grand Rapids and around the country, so I thought this article on a program in Cincinnati and Cleveland to provide equity to renters was compelling.

As part of the programs, residents who fulfill commitments in their lease agreement by doing things like property improvements, paying rent on time, following house rules, and participating in tenant meetings, earn financial credits that they can exchange for cash after five years. Over 10 years, renters can earn up to $10,000 and they can continue earning credits after they begin withdrawing money.

For owners, the system works because long-term residents maintain the property well and the reduced turnover and high occupancy generate more money for them. For renters, they have the opportunity to build equity in the place they live in which eases their financial insecurity. It also signals to them that they, like homeowners, have a stake in the civic landscape.

In Cleveland, the project was jumpstarted with $350,000 from the City of Cleveland’s Housing Trust Fund and additional support from the Kresge Foundation. While both the Cincinnati and Cleveland programs are fairly new, it will be interesting to see if they are replicated elsewhere, and if they can accomplish the goal of creating stabilized housing for renters.

As always, if you have any questions please let me know. Otherwise, have a great weekend!